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Repairing your ceiling stains

What A Feeling, Water Damage On The Ceiling

There are a few ways water damage can happen. Sometimes ice walls resembling The Wall from Game Of Thrones can form in gutters during winter, skylights can let more than just the sun in, and sometimes it’s just ordinary plumbing problems. Whichever one it is, the problem still needs fixing.

Something besides the water also plays a part in causing damage, and if you don’t know what it is, you won’t be able to make a permanent repair.

Why Water Damage Occurs And How To Stop It

Water damage could cause repairs to be anything from a light staining to a complete teardown and re-installation.

The brown stain staring you in the face is caused by wood tannins deposited by the water, creating damage. If you don’t properly seal the damaged area with a stain blocker, your water-based paint will cause the tannins to bleed through and discolour the ceiling again.

If you don’t want that to happen, follow these simple steps:

Plugging The Water Damaged Ceiling

Here’s a quick rundown of what needs to happen to get rid of that stain:

– Inspect the stained surface

Make sure the water hasn’t caused any damage to the drywall or plaster. Any damage needs to be fixed before further steps are taken.

If the drywall feels soft and/or spongy, take a look at https://www.sentricdesign.co.uk to see how to repair it.

– Repair any damage

This can range from a quick skim coat to cutting out the damaged area and installing a new section of ceiling. If the damage brings up the question “How am I going to fix this?” call a professional.

– Prime the affected area with a stain blocking primer

You’re going to need to put a defence on the affected area like the Chelsea FC needs a special defender.

Oil or shellac based primers are best because they will prevent the staining from being reactivated and causing problems down the line.

*Tip: make sure to get some ventilation for the room (open window, fan, etc) because these primers stink and will give you a headache or other symptoms if inhaled regularly.*

– Paint the entire ceiling

This may seem unnecessary, but unless you want a patchwork ceiling, the whole thing will need to be repainted. Performing a localized touch-up on the repaired area before recoating the ceiling is the best technique for a seamless repair.

What Water Damage?

Follow these steps and you can once again have that perfect ceiling. No more looking up and seeing a stain on the ceiling, wishing it looked like Anthony Joshua or Halle Berry. If you have to repaint the whole ceiling, look at it as a chance to start over and choose another colour. Make this DIY project a masterpiece.

If you decide that the damage is too much for you to handle, fill out our contact form www.sentricdesign.co.uk/contact or give us a call for an estimate at 020 8935 5159. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF FINISHING TOUCHES

THE IMPORTANCE OF FINISHING TOUCHES

Beautifully painted walls don’t stay that way forever. The need for touch-ups on painted interior walls is something to think about in advance. Not only can you avoid headaches by choosing a type of paint that is easy to work with when small repairs are needed, you should be careful to save some of the original paint for touch-ups later on.

 Touch-up Mistakes to Avoid

• Same colour, wrong shade. White paint comes in literally hundreds of shades, and touching up the finish properly requires choosing the same shade of paint as was originally painted on the wall.

• Flashing. Professionals use the term “flashing” to describe the variation in the finish which occurs when retouching paint that is shiny or old. Looking straight at a wall, flashing may not be obvious. But when you view the surface from the side, imperfections are visible where light is reflected. Common occurrences of flashing include when a shiny paint finish is applied on patches of bare wall. Other steps are required for the finish to look right, including using repair spackle and latex primer prior to applying a finish of shiny paint.

• Covering stains in a way that produces bleed-through. Not all touch-ups should be handled in the same way. Stains such as cigarette smoke, ink, and water should be sealed before applying fresh paint. Block the stains with a stain-blocking oil primer or a shellac-based sealer.

The amount of trouble you have addressing the need for touch-ups on wall interiors is mostly determined by the type of paint you use on the original paint job. The following is information about the different types of paint, including how well they can be touched up.

 Flat / Matte Paint

Matte paint is the most common type of finish used on interior walls. There is no sheen to the finish, and matte paint is ideal for older houses which have imperfections. This type of finish is difficult to clean, which is one reason it requires frequently touching up. The good news is that flat paint is easy to touch up. Matte paint is not recommended for bathrooms and kitchens, but it is ideal for living room walls, ceilings, bedrooms, and walls which have many imperfections.

An Eggshell Finish

An eggshell finish has low sheen and is highly washable. Many homeowners prefer an eggshell finish over satin because it does a better job of hiding imperfections. Living rooms and bedrooms are perfect for an eggshell finish, but it’s not a good choice for hallways and other high-traffic areas. This delicate finish is easily marred, but touch-ups are easy.

A Satin Finish

A satin finish produces a warm, pearl-like, silky sheen. This type of finish works well for children’s rooms, laundry rooms, bathrooms, family rooms, and kitchens. A satin finish can withstand scrubbing; but the problem comes with touch-ups, since slight differences in sheen will stand out.

Gloss

Gloss finishes are typically used on trim, mouldings, and woodwork; very rarely is it used on walls, since imperfections are glaringly obvious. This finish is the easiest to clean and the most durable. Gloss is not easy to touch up, however, because any differences in sheen will be apparent.

Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss paint is resistant to humidity and can withstand chipping, stains, and scuffing. This type of finish is often used in kitchens and bathrooms as well as for mouldings and trim. Semi-gloss is highly scrub-able but a challenge to touch up because of the sheen.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for your next project:

Phone: 020 8935 5159

Email: info@sentricdesign.co.uk

Sentric Design: Working With Contractors: Construction & Interior ...

Sentric Design: Working With Contractors: Construction & Interior ...: What is a contract: Every time you sign your name on the dotted line, you are legally staking your name to a contract. A contract is a ...

Working With Contractors: Construction & Interior (p1)

What is a contract:

Every time you sign your name on the dotted line, you are legally staking your name to a contract. A contract is a legal document that guarantees a service between two or more people.

Generally speaking, a contractor is any person who agrees to fulfil the demands of a contract. When you hire a lawn care company to mow your grass and a plumber to fix a leaky pipe, you are dealing with contractors. The contractor then legally binds his or her name to the action spelled out in the contract – and so do you.

When it comes to home remodelling, a “general contractor” is the person who is in charge of the construction site. Contractors use their contracts, agreed upon by both the homeowner and the contractor, as the blueprint for all aspects of the job.

The vast majority of contractors are honest people who simply want the opportunity to do the things you want done, and they want you to be happy with the work. A contractor’s whole livelihood is based on your satisfaction, but every contractor has had a combination of good and bad experiences with customers.  As a result of those experiences, contractors rely on the written contract to resolve any dispute over what was agreed.

Types of contractors: www.sentricdesign.co.uk

In a big remodelling job involving several trades, there are two main types of contractors: General contractor and subcontractors.

A general contractor is a type of manager who is in charge of overseeing the entirety of a project. For a home remodelling job, the GC will meet with the homeowner to go over the initial project details, estimate the cost of the project, draft a contract, hire workers, and handle the daily operation of the job and all the rest of it. These guys don’t usually perform any of the labour work, but instead hire skilled tradesmen as subcontractors.

A subcontractor is a worker who is hired by a general contractor to perform the obligations of another’s contract. Also referred to as specialty contractors or “subs,” subcontractors are typically hired to perform a specialized type of labour. They are the plumbers, roofers, carpet installers and electricians who are essential to any large remodelling project. As the name implies, subcontractors work under contract with, and get paid by general contractors.

There are also specialized, trade-specific contractors who manage groups of workers under the same trade. For example, an electrical contractor could be a business owner or firm that employs a team of electricians. This type of contractor is usually needed for large projects, or highly-specialized work. 

TBC

Sentric Design: #condensation problems

Sentric Design: condensation problems: Although there are many ways to reduce condensation problems in the home, truth is, relying on a quick fix won’t get rid of your condensati...

condensation problems

Although there are many ways to reduce condensation problems in the home, truth is, relying on a quick fix won’t get rid of your condensation problems permanently or prevent them from returning in the future, it will only reduce them in the short term!

Condensation problems

Condensation forms on a surface when the temperature of that surface is below the dew point of the surrounding air. The relative humidity of your property rises when air is cooled, until it reaches a point (dew point) where it is saturated and can no long retain the moisture in the atmosphere.

As an example, when you take a can of drink out of the fridge or cooler, you’ll notice that small water droplets will have formed on the outside of the drink; this is condensation. This happens because the temperature of the canned drink is reduced when air passes over it, therefore depositing the moisture from the air onto the cold surface.

Similarly, window condensation is very common in households; you might notice that your windows stream with tiny water droplets when the weather is relatively cold outside.

Why is important to reduce condensation?

Continued condensation problems can lead to peeling wall paper, black mould on your walls, around window frames and in some cases on furniture and carpets! Apart from making a visual mess of your home prolonged issues with condensation and mould can also affect your health. Breathing in stale, contaminated air can lead to headaches, sickness and lethargy – so if your home suffers from condensation you may want to nip it in the bud now!

In order to put an end to condensation, you need to control moisture levels in the air. However, no short-term solution will banish your condensation problems completely…

Short-term condensation solutions

Although the following procedures can help reduce condensation levels, they won’t banish the problem for good. The following ‘quick-fixes’ will have to be completed every time you participate in a household activity that releases moisture (such as bathing, cooking, washing, etc).

Opening windows to air out the home – which means heat loss and higher energy bills.

·         Shutting the bathroom door when bathing or showering – if you don’t, humidity can migrate into the living areas of the home.

·         Closing the kitchen door when cooking Keeping the lids on all of your saucepans while cooking

·         Hanging your washing outside as opposed to drying them on radiators

·         Painting over damp patches or black mould – added inconvenience and more money!

·         Invest in a long-term condensation solutions

If you think that a long-term solution will prove to be costly and a load of hassle, think again!

Preventing condensation and diminishing condensation problems is so simple; all you need is good ventilation. In addition to preventing condensation, damp and mould problems, ventilating your property can help to reduce house dust mites, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Radon levels; all of which can take its toll on those living in the poorly ventilated property.

Sentric Design has a range of energy efficient condensation-control solutions that can significantly reduce humidity, therefore providing your household with fresh, filtered air for a damp, condensation mould-free environment. Contact us today for more information on 020 8935 5159 or visit www.sentricdesign.co.uk to arrange a home survey.